A. a hint in the surrounding text that can help a reader infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word, phrase, or description
B. a reader’s question or comment about a text written directly on the text
C. an idea formed by combining text evidence and one’s own reasoning and background knowledge
D. to determine which parts of a text you do or do not understand
Read the origin of the word collaborate.
from the Latin com- ("with, together") and laborare ("to labor")
Based on this information, what is the meaning of the word collaborating in paragraph 4?
F. Arguing
G. Communicating
H. Working together
J. Moving quickly
The author chose a school as the setting of this story most likely to-
A. create a sense of alliance among the social studies and media teachers
B. show that the narrator's classmates only care about following rules
C. develop themes about growing up and learning to accept change
D. enhance the narrator's confusion about what is or isn't mysterious
The author wrote this selection most likely to -
F. entertain readers with an eerie story
G. urge teachers to be more creative
H. demonstrate a lecture style of teaching
J. inform readers about personal space
Ms. Gustafson's desire to stick to the curriculum
A. Jamie begins to feel nervous, as if a dark force is at work.
B. Jamie becomes desperate to find out what's going on.
C. The plot moves toward full resolution.
D. The Experiment strikes Jamie and his classmates as very strange.
Anastasia's silence when escorting Jamie back to the classroom.
F. Jamie begins to feel nervous, as if a dark force is at work.
G. Jamie becomes desperate to find out what's going on.
H. The plot moves toward full resolution.
J. The Experiment strikes Jamie and his classmates as very strange.
The student's intense interest as Anastasia reviews the assignment with Jamie
A. Jamie begins to feel nervous, as if a dark force is at work.
B. Jamie becomes desperate to find out what's going on.
C. The plot moves toward full resolution.
D. The Experiment strikes Jamie and his classmates as very strange.
Jamie's desire to solve the mystery
F. Jamie begins to feel nervous, as if a dark force is at work.
G. Jamie becomes desperate to find out what's going on.
H. The plot moves toward full resolution.
J. The Experiment strikes Jamie and his classmates as very strange.
Which sentence best demonstrates that the story has an eerie element?
A. My hand shot up in the air, seemingly without my asking it to do so.
B. Mr. Toskin awaited me with timer already set to five minutes.
C. What seemed most mysterious, however, was the lack of anything mysterious happening!
D. Several classmates gave each other knowing looks, which only worsened my feeling of confusion and helplessness.
Paragraphs 16 through 18 support the primary theme of the selection by emphasizing-
F. the damaging effects of peer pressure
G. the unexpected logic behind human behavior
H. the tension between male and female students
J. the unusual success of the narrator
Which words from paragraph 1 help the reader understand the meaning of elusive?
A. for no apparent reason
B. would chase us
C. slapped shut
D. disappeared in the shadows
Words like whispers, shrouded, and shadows in paragraph 1 are important because they establish --
F. a tone of despair
G. a point of view
H. a mood of suspense
J. a feeling of hope
The events in paragraph 4 are important because --
A. Barlo's actions in the past are changing his future
B. the narrator's past events are influencing his present decisions
C. the narrator's past events shape the way he sees himself
D. Barlo's house becomes part of the setting in the future
Read the sentence from paragraph 6.
"Why in the world would someone take my flowers?" Mom cried.
Mom's response to her missing flowers adds to the conflict by --
F. forcing the narrator to confront Barlo
G. involving the neighbors
H. increasing the tension between herself and the narrator
J. reinforcing the idea that the vandal had to be a person
Read the origin of the word illuminate.
from the Latin root lum (light)
Based on this information, what is the meaning of the word illuminate in paragraph 8?
A. To brighten
B. To enlighten
C. To reduce in weight
D. To install a light
Which excerpt implies the narrator's guilt over accusing an innocent man of destroying the yard?
F. He looked suspiciusly like a man who was up to something
G. "It was Barlo," I muttered quietly, afraid my parents would hear me.
H. I knew nothing to justify my accusation of our neighbor...
J. Only the bravest criminal would take such a risk of being caught
Read the sentence from paragraph 11 of the selection.
Barlo lived in the only eerie house in the neighborhood, desperately needing a coat of paint and a new garage door. The author includes this sentence most likely to emphasize --
A. the narrator's judgemental nature
B.. the narrator's interest in the community
C. Barlo's reluctane to be active outside of his house
D. Barlo's preference for an older home
What do the narrator's actions in paragraph 13 tell the reader about the theme of the selection?
F. We should not assume the worst of people we do not know.
G. Neighbors should try to take care of each other.
H. We should never live with guilt or remorse.
J. We should accept the help of our neighbors.
Living in a town in which the neighbors whisper about Barlo influences the narrator to --
A. assume Barlo must be guilty
B. defend Barlo
C. join in on the gossip
D. stop listening to the neighbors
In which sentence does the author attempt to establish a sense of voice?
F. Barlo- not "Mr. Barlo," just "Barlo" - owned a house down the street
G. Barlo would chase us off his lawn
H. I untangled myself from bed sheets and blankets and dashed to the window.
J. Someone broke into our shed, leaving a trail of dirt behing.
